News

Ending Sequestration?

—Otto Kreisher7/30/2015

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One
of the top Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee said Wednesday he
is “more optimistic” than ever that Congress will act, perhaps next year, to
end the punishing budget cuts forced by sequestration that are hampering the
military’s ability to respond to a chaotic global security environment. Rep.
Randy Forbes (R-Va.), chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces
Subcommittee, told an American Enterprise Institute forum that opposition to
sequestration has increased among both the American public and lawmakers. He
said a colleague from Texas, who is not on a defense-related committee, told
him that national defense was one of the top concerns he heard expressed in his
recent town hall meetings. Forbes earlier had listed the impact of the funding
reductions on defense, with the Air Force having the oldest and smallest air
fleet in its history and in great need of modernization, the Navy lacking the
ships needed for the rebalance to Asia-Pacific, and the Army endstrength
dropping to dangerous levels. “I see the pendulum moving back” to support for
repealing sequestration, at least for defense, he said. But, Forbes added, “We
have to have the leadership​” from the White House to help convince the public.